Canadian police issue warning about online dating fraudsters

While the stories of long-lasting love found online are still a new phenomenon, it cannot be denied that we all probably know someone who has met and dated a person they first encountered online. However, it is no secret that these relationships should be approached with caution, as connections made online can sometimes lead to more than just a broken heart.

According to an article from The Hamilton Spectator, in Ontario, Canada, police are warning individuals to be vigilant when it comes to online dating because fraudsters are out there taking advantage. We are not talking about a few dollars here, either, but millions.

Numbers from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center show that in 2012, 1,195 victims lost a combined $16.6 million. So far this year, cyber criminals have been able to steal $10.4 million.

"[These fraudsters] know how to get into your head and under your skin," center spokesperson Daniel Williams told the news source. "They're manipulators […] They know psychology and how to gain your trust."

Sergeant Ron Hansen of Halton, Canada's fraud unit mentioned that there is a good chance that these numbers are actually much higher, but some victims feel too embarrassed to report the crime. This is what led the organization to issue an official warning to anyone who is using dating websites.

These are significant steps for a crime that wasn't on anyone's radar a decade ago. Now online scams seem commonplace. Keith Agnew, the COO of popular dating company Lavalife, spoke with Canadian news outlet Metro News, and said that his company has hired a dozen full-time anti scam employees to weed out fraudsters quickly. In Canada alone, his website removed upwards of 10,000 profiles a month that are characterized as being created by a "scammer."

Users should also be looking out for themselves. With the use of a people search service like Radaris, any individual can dig deeper and find the true story behind someone before you open yourself up to a potential fraudster who is just looking to take advantage of the situation.